Thoughts of a 79 year old retired Indian scientist , who is an astrologer, a translator of prayers and poems and a story teller to children.

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Mini Punjab in USA

Mini Punjab in USA

Mini Punjab in USA

Compiledby

P.R.Ramachander

Many ofyou would be as surprisedas me to knowthatthe earliestIndiansto settledown in USAwereSikhs . They werebrought as agricultural labourersin USA,The placethey settled downis Suttercountry of Yubacity of
Californiawhich isnearSan Francisco. Therewasa timewhen most of them weresent back
but as of now10% of the populationof that placeare Sikhs . In Yuba-Sutter County, Punjabi
farmers grow about 95% of the peach crop, 60% of prunes and 20% almonds &
walnuts.

“Yuba City is literally a mini Punjab in the USA with three
Gurdwaras and a temple. “Sat Sri Akal” is the preferred form of greeting;
speaking in Punjabi is not considered “foreign” and Punjabi is officially
taught in public schools. A radio program in Punjabi is regularly on the air.
The Punjabi American Festival (Baisakhi) is organized every year in May by the
Punjabi American Heritage Society which was founded by Dr. Jasbir Singh Kang in
1993 to help the younger generation get connected to their roots. The annual
event features some internationally acclaimed artists and hundreds of local
artists, including students from California schools, colleges and universities,
who perform traditional Punjabi dances such as Bhangra, Giddha, Jhumar, and
other ethnic dances. The ticketed event attracts over 12,000 people and is
aimed at promoting a better understanding of the Punjabi community, its
culture, and the many contributions they make to the region. Many business
owners rent display booths to put themselves in front of the prospective
customers.” ( fromhttp://www.indiaempire.com/article/331/yuba_citythe_mini_punjab_in_usa)